The Barbados Defence Force
COVID-19 PLEDGE AND PRAYER
BDF COVID–19 Pledge of Support
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Service,
Your Chaplains gathered together for their annual Lenten Retreat on Monday 16th March at the Living Water Centre in St. David, Christ Church. We spent the session reflecting and praying about our involvement in the fight against the threat of COVID – 19 (now very present in our nation). During our reflection, we recognized that many of us are on the frontline of this crisis, and further noted the fact that our families are also at risk.
This reality has caused us to examine ways that we can offer increased support and guidance in this challenging period. To this end, we will be increasing our presence on the bases at designated periods. Additionally, we are working toward having a designated space on each base for prayer, quiet reflection, and counsel as required. We will also avail ourselves to counsel and pray with family members should that need arise.
Be reminded that prayer opens our hearts to receive God’s love and mercy, and also enables us to face the challenges we encounter in our daily lives. We wish to also assure you and your respective families of our prayerful support, as together we surmount the national, regional and global threat of this deadly virus.
May God bless you as you continue to serve our nation and people with excellence.
Your Chaplains;
Reverend Captain Hugh Sandiford, Reverend Major (Retired) Max Springer
Reverend Joel Cumberbatch, Reverend Esther Willoughby
Reverend Roslyn Harper – Johnson and Reverend Clement Paul
BDF Social Services Team
Captain Harriet Clarke and Officer Cadet Andrew Alleyne
BDF COVID–19 A Prayer for Safety
Our Heavenly Father, we look to you in this our time of need. We thank you that you are God and there is none like you. You continue to extend your favour and mercies to us, and for such blessings we are eternally grateful. We ask for your wisdom and direction for all medical personnel and others across the world, who are on the frontline ministering to those who have been affected by the COVID – 19 in one way or another. Equally we pray for your comfort and strength for those sorrowing relatives and friends who are experiencing the pain and trauma stemming from the loss of loved ones and friends.
In a specific way, we pray for all BDF personnel and their respective families. We ask that you be our shield and protector as we carry out our legitimate duty to our nation in this challenging period. Help us to be vigilant and to do all in our power to protect ourselves, our families, our colleagues, and all others with whom we interface on a daily basis.
We remember our Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, DA, QC, our Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Mottley Q.C, M.P, members of Cabinet and all other persons charged with the responsibility of guiding our nation during this difficult period. Grant to them your wisdom and direction, as they seek to minimize the risks to our citizens and visitors, as well as to ultimately eradicate this potentially deadly virus from our shores.
Together we commend ourselves to your safe keeping, resting confidently in your providential care. May your peace which surpasses all understanding be ours now and always. This we pray in the name of God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!
Commodore (Cdre) Errington Ricardo Shurland was appointed Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 1 September 2021. He enlisted in the BDF in February 1984 and in a military career spanning over 34 years, has served in various operational and administrative appointments.
Colonel Glyne Grannum joined the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 18 October 1985 and underwent career development training at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School, Chilliwack and the Combat Training Centre, Gagetown New Brunswick, Canada. He subsequently attended the Infantry Training Centre and the Signal Wing in Warminster, UK (PCBC and RSO Courses respectively), the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy; the Lester Pearson Canadian Peacekeeping Centre, the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, Toronto, the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army People’s Republic of China and the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, National Defence University, Washington. He also attended a Defence Resources Management programme at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Canada. In addition to being a qualified infantry officer, Col Grannum is a qualified Regimental Signals Officer and a former Operations Officer and Finance Officer of the BDF.
Colonel Banfield joined the Barbados Battalion of the South Caribbean Force in 1941 having just left the Cadet Corps at Combermere School, and was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1942. He was a Platoon Commander and a Company Commander during the war and served in Barbados, Dominica (as part of the Gale Force), St Lucia and St Vincent.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Colin Marshall is a graduate of the St Michael, and was born on the 5 November 1969 and enlisted in the Barbados Defence Force on 16 August 1994. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in August 1997, Corporal in 1999, Sergeant in 2007, Color Sergeant in 2014, Warrant Officer Class Two in 2017 and Warrant Officer Class One in 2020. He was Most Outstanding Student on Junior Leadership Course in 1998, the Most Outstanding Student on Junior Non Commissioned Officer Cadre in Jamaica in 2000, best at Leadership on the Search Adviser Course in Jamaica in 2007 and the Most Outstanding Student on the Warrant Officer Course in Jamaica in 2015.
